07/02/2026 – 14:15
Media library ARD
Baden-Baden (c)
Eight-episode Israeli series starring Ben Sultan as an informant among radical football fans
A stranger in his own family, a criminal for society, young Meni expects nothing from life. As an informant among brutal bullies, he eventually finds himself at the center of events. His commitments become not only a dangerous challenge, but also a profound life experience. The Israeli-German-French series “Hooligans” starts on August 14 in the ARD media library. The main roles are played by Ben Sultan, Sean Softee, Dikla Dori, Daniel Menuchin Rudoy and Ben Hein. The eight 45-minute episodes were directed by Lee Gilat, who also co-wrote the scripts with Izhar Har-Lev. She tells a radical scene in which being a fan is the meaning of life, and enthusiasm can turn into violence at any moment, but in which Meni also worries about being ignored.
Power factor
Meni Azoulay (20), a drinks seller in front of the Teddy football stadium in Jerusalem, accidentally gets caught in a fight between two rival hooligan groups and saves the life of a man, not knowing that it is Owad Hamami, the leader of the radical support club Guardians of the Walls. Meni wounds a policeman and ends up in custody along with members of the group. This is the beginning of his life as an informant in one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the country. The police, represented by Commissioner Eli Madmoni, can put pressure on Meni, since he has so far avoided military service, and demand that he expand and use his contacts with the guards of the walls. In fact, the grateful Ovad recruits Meni, who has no interest in football at all, into the Guardians of the Walls. Here the young man finds what he lacked: recognition, community, security. He is also fascinated by Kineret Hamami, the club’s lawyer. But what happens when his true identity is revealed? And is he even a police informant? Meni has to ask himself where he really belongs.
International co-production
Hooligans is a production of Artza Productions in association with United King Films in a co-production with Canal+, SWR, NDR and WDR. Creators: Lee Gilat, Izhar Har-Lev, Yuval Bronstein and Esther Namdar Tamam. The series is produced by Hilla Alon, Daphne Prenner, Artza Productions and Sharon Sberlo, United King Films, and executive produced by Sisi Menachem. Other roles include Tom Zidner, David Shaul, Eli Elmakis, Nehorai Kalifa, Itzhak Marziano, Guetta, Zohar Alfassi, Shimon Mimran, Moran Arbiv, Irit Kaplan, Asaf Harel, Shalom Levi, Oren Cohen. The editorial team includes Ronnie Perry, Kahn, Brigitte Diethard, SWR, Sabine Holtgreave, NDR, and Frank Tonsmann, WDR.
IN Media library ARD Available from Friday, August 14th to February 14th.
All episodes on Friday, August 14, from 23:00. on one
The first two episodes of “Hooligans” are intended for children aged 12 years and older, episodes three to eight – for children 16 years and older.
Press dossier: http://swr.li/hooligans
Photos: ARD-foto.de
Newsletter: “SWR network” SWR Networks Newsletters
SWR press contact: Annette Gilcher, tel. 07221 929 2 40 16, annette.gilcher@SWR.de
Original content: ARD Mediathek, transmitted by news aktuell